Former NBA player Mookie Blaylock, whose name was actually the original name of 90’s Seattle grunge band Pearl Jam, before they changed it for legal reasons, was sentenced today to 15 years in prison for vehicular homicide.

On the afternoon of May 31, 2013, the former Atlanta Hawk was involved in a head-on collision in Clayton County, Georgia as his vehicle traveled left-of-center. Blalock was himself initially placed on life support following the accident. The accident seriously injured the other vehicles driver Frank Murphy, and caused the later death of his wife Monica due to her injuries.

Via ESPN:

According to the plea deal, the term was reduced to seven years — suspended after three — and eight years’ probation.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution initially reported the terms of Blaylock’s sentencing.

At the time of the wreck, Blaylock, 47, had been under treatment for seizures, the Journal-Constitution reported, citing a family member. Before the crash, a doctor had ordered Blaylock not to drive, prosecutors said. Read More…

Pearl Jam’s debut album “Ten” was named in honor of Blaylock’s jersey number.